Braiding machine



Jan. 25 1 5 Sheets-$heet l INV EN IORS I Elem,

' ATTO RN EYS Jan. 25 1927.

F. KLEIN ET AL BRAIDING MACHINE,"

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ATTORN EYS 1 25 927 F. KLEIN ET AL BBAIDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20. 1926 5 Sheetsg-Sheet 4 Jan. 25. 1927.

F. KLEIN ET AL BRAIDING MACHINE .F'iled Feb. 20, 1926 5 Shegts-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

lTE STATES FREDERICK KLEIN, 0F COLLEGE IEOINT, AND MABIUS E. PENSO. OF EAST ELMI-IURST, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR-S TO TEE VVATSGN-STILLMAN CO., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

' BRAIDING MACHINE.

Application filed February This invention relates to that type of machine in which two oppositely rotating tables or turrets are provided, each turret or table carrying a series of spools or bobbins, the threads from all of said spools converging at a central braiding point and means being provided whereby the threads from one series of bobbins will be interlaced with the threads from the other series of bobbins. The purpose of machines of this type is to produce a tubular braided fabric with or without a core. Such machines are largely used for braiding cover vide a machine capable of a relatively high speed Without the usual destructive wear due to high bearing velocities. To this end the machine is so designed that the effect of centrifugal force, due to its rapid operation, is concentrated upon a few relatively slowly moving elements. This minimizes the triotional losses, effects a material saving of power and avoids destructive wear upon the machine parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high-speed braiding machine so designed as to render itreversible in its operation for the purpose of correcting a fault in the braided work. lVhen a fault occurs in the work, due to defective yarn or thread, the machine is capable of being operated in a reverse direction to any required extent without any strain or dislocation of its parts. The braided yarn will be unlaced by the reverse operation so that the bad spot may be reached. This feature is particularly desirable when braiding fine articles where faults are not permissible.

Qther objects (it the invention are to simplify the structure oi a higlrspeed 20, 1926. Serial No. 89,673.

braiding machine and to reduce the number of relatively moving parts.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a detail vertical section taken sub stautially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4; a detail sectional perspective view upon an enlarged scale, showing a portion of the yarn-directing means and the carriersupporting means;

Fig. 5 a perspective view of one of the inner bobbin carriers;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the switches for guiding the yarn from the outer bobbins around the shuttles;

Fig. 10 a diagrammatic view showing the character of braiding produced;

Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive, diagrammatic views, with most of the detail structure omitted, showing the different steps in the operation of interlacing the yarn to produce the braiding shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 16 a view showing diagrammatically a complete development of the wavelike cam grooves upon a reduced scale.

Referring to the various parts of the machine by numerals, 1 designates a base termed centrally wlth an upstanding, hublike portion 2 and iormed ad acent one of its outer edges with a horizontal shaft bearing 3. The hub-portion 2 is formed centrally with a vertical bore or socket in which is supported an upstanding tubular post at. The post 4 extends a considerable distance above the upper end of the hub-portion 2 and is held against turning in the socket by means of a set screw 5. A turret or table is mounted to rotate upon the fixed post 4t and is supported by the upper end of the hub 2. This turret comprises a lower disklike plate 6 formed with a straight tubular hub 7 which extends upwardly to a point adjacent the upper end of the post 4. At points equally spaced around its outer edge the plate 6 is formed w th four vertically disposed arms 8 which rigidly support a circular flange or ring 9, the particular form of which will be described later in the specie the hub-like portion 2 of the base 1.

tication. The arms 8 support this ring at a level suitably spaced above the upper end of the hub 7. An upper disk-like plate 10 is mounted upon the upper end of the hub 7 and is locked by a set screw 11 to turn with the hub. The disks 6 and 10 and the ring 9 are thus all locked together and adapted to turn about the post 4 as a single rotor. This rotor supports a series of bobbins or yarn carriers located inwardly around the braiding point, and willbe hereinafter referred to as-the inner bobbin turret. Formed upon the under face of the loower disk Got the turret is a large bevel gear 12. Meshing with this gear is a bevel drivingpinion 13 fixed to a drive shaft 14 mounted to rotate in the bearing A drive pulley 15 is fixed to the outer end of the shaft. This provides a direct driving train for rotatingthe inner bobbin turret.

The hub 7 of the inner bobbin turret is formed with an outer cylindrical bearing surface upon which a second turret is mounted to rotate. This turret comprises a disklike plate 16 formed centrally with-a depending hub 17 encircling the hub 7 and rotatable thereon. The peripheraledge of the plate 16 is formed with an upstanding cylindrical raceway flange 18. The lower end ofthe hub 17 rests upon the upper face of'the disk 6 and the hub is of such length as to support the disk 16 directly beneath the disk '10 of the inner bobbin turret. The upstanding flange 18 is soproportioned that its upper edge is disposed adjacent the under side ofthe ring 9. A skirt fiange lt) of less diameter than the flange 18 is formed upon the disk 16 and depends from its under face. The flange 19 is cylindrical in form, concentrically disposed with relation to the post 4, and supports a circular series of bobbin carriers represented as horizontal, radially disposed stub shafts 20. These shafts are equally spaced around the'fiange 19 and each rotatably carries one-of a series of lower or outer yarn bobbins or spools 21. These bobbins may be mounted in other ways if desired. The turret comprising the disk 16 and the flanges 18 and 19 will be referred to hereinafter as the outer bobbin turret. This turret is adapted to be rotated'in a reverse d rectionto that of the inner bobbin turret, by a planetary gear train. Formed upon the disk 6 at a point spaced outwardly from the center thereof is a shaftbearing 22 within which a vertically disposed shaft 23 is mounted to rotate. lteyed 'to the upper end of the shaft 23 is a gear'2 l, and keyed to the lower end of sa d shaft is a gear 25. The lower gear 25 meshes witha fixed gear 26 formed upon The upper gear 24 meshes with a gear 27 formed upon the hub 17 0f the outer bobbin turret.

in a reverse direction.

"over the center of the machine.

hen the inner bobbin turret is rotated in one direction by the drive shaft 14- the planetary gear train just described will cause a rotation of the outer bobbin turret In the present instance the gear ratio shown is such as to give the same revolutions per minute to both of the oppositely rotated turrets. This ratio'n'iay, however, be varied to suit different bra ding requirements.

In'Fig. 2 of the drawings the braid is shown as being formed upon a core t. This core is trained upwardly through the tubularpost 4- and arounda take-up drum l.) rotatably'mounted in any suitable manner In practice this drum will be rotated in. proper synchron sm'with'the'rotation of the turrets, by means common in braiding'machine struc- 'ture. The drum-rotating mechanism has been-omitted inthe present case in order to simplify the drawings. The core (7 also passes through a guide sleeve supported directly'over the braiding point. The braiding point is located a short'distauce above *the upper end of the tubular post t and substantiallymidway between'the planes ofthe ring 9'and the disk 10.

A plurality of inner yarn spools or bobbins 28 are arranged around the braiding point in a circular series. The bobbins are equally spaced and supported with their axes disposed radially and in the same horizontal plane with thebraitling point. Each bobbin 28 is rotatably mounted in a carrier 29 shown in detail'in Fig. 5. The carrier conr prises inner and-outer heads or end plates 30 and 31 respectively, rigidly connected together and held in spaced relation by outwardly diverging side bars 32. The bobbin rotatablysupported in any suitable inannerby the end'plates. The inner end plate 80 is substantially circular in outline. The outer end plate 81 is larger than the inner plate, substantially elliptical in form, with its longer axis horizontal and its ends EOllliF- what pointed. This plate serves as a shuttle.

Formed upon the outer face of the plate :31,

adjacent the upper edge thereof, is an out- \vardly extending elongated guiding and supporting fin 83, and formed upon the low er edge of the inner plate 80 is a supporting foot 34. The upstanding cylimlriral liannr 18 is formed in its inner face with a continuous horizontal raceway groove formed to slidably receive the tin 33. disk PM) is mounted upon the upper end of the fixed tubular post 4 and is held against turning thereon by a. set screw 37. This disk is beveled at its edge to provide a bearing surface 38 upon which the feet 34 of the carriers are adapted to rest. The surface 38 and the groove 35 are so located as to support the carriers with their axes in a horizontal plane coincident with the plane of the braiding point. The major axes of the shuttles 31 also lie in this plane.

The ring 9 is formed at its inner marginal edge with a depending cylindrical flange 39, and the disk 10 is formed around its outer margin with an upstanding flange of similar form located directly beneath the flange 39 with its upper edge opposed to the lower edge 0t said flange 39. These flanges are located adjacent the inner face of the flange 18 concentric therewith and their opposed edges are formed with a series of opposed, substantially semi-elliptical recesses 41 and 42 respectively. Each pair of opposed recesses defines a substantially elliptical opening which is adapted to receive the elliptical shuttle head 31 of one of the carriers when said carrier is supported in position. The area of the elliptical. opening is somewhat greater than that of the shuttle head so that a continuous slot is formed around the periphery of the shuttle between the edges thereof and the edges of the recesses formed in the flanges 39 and 4-0. The successive recesses around the flanges 39 and 40 are spaced apart and between the recesses the flanges are formed with straight horizontal edges 43. In the assembled positions of the flanges 39 and 40 these straight edges are spaced slightly apart to provide straight horizontal slots 53 which connect together the elliptical slots around the shuttle heads. These straight slots are all disposed in horizontal alinement with the major axes of the elliptical shuttle heads. In the present case the flanges 39 and 40 are formed to accommodate the shuttle heads of eight bolobins equally spaced around the braiding point. An equal nunr ber of lower or outer bobbins.is carried by the flange 19. The number of inner and outer bobbins may be varied to suit different braiding requirements.

The shuttle plate 31 of each carrier 29 has two yarn-directing switch blades 44 pivotall y mounted upon its outer face adjacent the center thereof. Each switch blade comprises an arm 45 and a widened head 46. The heads of the two blades extend outwardly beyond the opposite ends of the elliptical shuttle plate and are adapted to be oscillated above and below the major axis of the plate. Adjacent the opposite ends of each elliptical opening defined by the recesses ll and 42, the flanges 39 and 40 are formed upon their outer faces with thickened portions or heads 39 and 40 These heads are formed with vertical arcuate grooves 47 adapted to slidably receive the outer ends of the switch heads 46. These grooves 47 extend above and below the horizontal straight slots 53 and the side walls 48 of the grooves are adapted to engage the vertical inner and outer faces of other the switch heads and, through the medium of the switches, hold the carriers 29 against endwise displacement. The grooves 35 and 47, the switch heads and the guide fin 33 are so proportioned that the fin is held, by the switches and their groove connections, out of contact with the bottom of its guide groove 35. This prevents destructive friction between the groove and the guide fin when the machine is operated. The switch blades also provide a connection between the carriers 29 and the flanges 39 and 40, whereby the inner carriers 29 and their bobbins are moved around the braiding point by the rotation of the upper carrier turret.

The flanges 39 and 40, being formed with the ring 9 and the disk 10, form a part of the turret and said flanges comprise, in effect, an annular cage for the shuttle heads of the carriers. An elongated shoe 49 is pivoted upon the head of each switch blade and is adapted to co-operate with means presently described, to oscillate the switch heads above and below the medial line or plane within which lie the slots 53 and major axes of the shuttles. The switches are oscillated for the purpose of guiding yarn above and below the shuttles.

Formed upon the inner cylindrical face of the upstanding flange 18 and below the guide groove 35 therein, are four cam grooves 50, each extending continuously entirely around said face. These grooves define serpentine or wave-lilre paths around the flange fa e and describe equal loops above and below a horizontal medial line lying within the plane of the braiding point, the major axes of the shuttle plates 31 and the slots 53. The grooves all have the same wave length and are arranged in two pairs. The grooves of one pair are designated 59 and and those of the other pair are designated 50 and 50. In each pair one groove is offset circun'iferentially from t the distance of one-half its wave length. This places the lower loops of one groove directly beneath the upper loops of the other groove of the pair and locates he points of intersection of the grooves upon the medial line. One pair of grooves are eircuniferentially offset from the other pair a distance equal to one-quarter of the wave length. This places the points of inter ction of each pair of grooves midway wit-l .n the loops of the other pair and upon the medial line. The loops of the two pairs of loops intersect above and below the medial line. The wave length of each groove is equal to one-half the inner circumference of the flange 13 and each groove therefore defines two loops above the medial line and two below it. The cain grooves are formed to slidably receive the shoes 49 of the switch blades and to oscillate the blades above and below the medial line to properly direct the yarn strands which lead from the outer bobbins 2].. Each of said strands leads upwardly and outwardly from one of the bobbins to one of a series of hooks 51 carried by the flange 18 and projecting outv-rardly from it. These hooks are arranged within the medial plane of the cam grooves and are equally spaced around the flange.

Substantially midway between each pair t hooks 51 the flange 19 is formed with a substantially vertical arcuate slot These slots describe arcs struck from the hooks 51 as centers extend downwardly from the upper edge of the flange 18 to a point adjacent the disk 16. and are so located as to pass through the points of intersection of the loops of the two pairs of cam grooves. These intersections. as previously stated. are located above and below the medial line or plane hereinbe' referred to. The slots therefore, s lit the 1;.cew v flange 18 into sections. The yarn passes from the hooks 51 through the slots 52, and then over or under one of the shuttle plates 31 and inwardly to the braiding point. In practice each yarn strand will lie-connected to a suitable tension device. To avoid complication these devices are omitted in the present case. The strand from each of the inner bobbins 28 is trained to a yarn tension device represented in the present instance by a hook H mounted upon one of the bars 32 of the carrier. and thence across the edge of the inner plate 31 of the carrier, inwardly to the braiding point.

The operation oi the machine is as follows:

When the drive shaft 1 1 is rotated, the inner and outer carrier turrets will be rotated in opposite directions and at equal speeds. The inner carrier turret upon which the cage flanges 39 and ,20 are formed will airry the upper carriers 29 and their bobbins around the braiding point in one direction. with the fins 33 of said carriers sliding in the groi'n'e- 35 of the raceway flange 1S and the supporting feet 3% sliding-over the bevel face 38 of the stationary disk 36. The flange 18 beingpart, of the outer carrier turret, will be rotated in a reverse direction and its wave-like cam grooves will oscillate the switch blades to properly guiue the yarn around the shuttles. This yarn-guiding operation is diagraniniatically shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive. In these views the flange 18 is located in trout oi the shuttle heads and the switcl es, and said flange with its wave-like cam grooves is represented in dot-anddash lines in order to not obscure the structure back of it. The direction of a single strand of yarn will be traced through the four views and it will be assumed that the raceway flange 18 is stationary while the flanges and 40 of the inner carrier turret are moving to the loft and carrying the shuttle heads 31 with them.

In Fig. 6 a strand of yarn S is shown as located in one of the horizontal slots :33 defined by the straight edges 13, the strand having emerged from the curved slot 5 1 around the upper edge of the shuttle a and having been directed. into the straight slot by the adjacent switch head of the shuttle a. The switch heads are formed with curved upper and lower guide edges and 56 formed to guide the yarn smoothly into and out of the different slots. The ends oi the straight slots 53 are also slightly flared to facilitate the entrance of the yarn. The said switch head oi the shuttle a has been moved to its guiding position below the medial line by a. lower loop of the cam groove 50. This switch head is now located at the left of the vertical slot 52 and the intersections ofthe cam grooves which occur at said slot. The adjacent switch head of the shuttle 3) is at the right of the slot 52 and has been elevated above the medial line, by the upper loop of the cam groove 50 into a position to guide the yarn from the straight slot 53 into the curved slot 57 around the lower edge of the shuttle b. In Fig. 7 the shuttle heads have moved to the left and the head 6 has moved the strand S to its lowermost position in its vertical slot 52.

In Fig. 8 the shuttle head 1) hasmoved further to the left, thereby causing the yarn to be raised in the slot 52. The head of the right-hand switch blade has been cammed to a position abovethe medial line and its lower guide edge has directed the yarn into the next horizontal slot The adjacent switch head-of the next shuttle 0 has also been cammedto a position above the medial line by the groove 50 and its lower edge will direct the yarn around the lower edge of the shuttle 0 upon further movement of the shuttles toward the left. In Fig. 9 the shuttle 0 has moved to the left and the strand S has been forced by said shuttle again to its lowermost position in the slot .52. Further movement of the shuttles causes the right-hand switch head of the shuttle a to be raised by the groove 50 into a position to direct the strand into the nexthorizonta] slot, and continued 1nove nient causes the yarn to pass successively aroundthe upper edges of the shuttles d and 0 ant. then around the lower edges of two following shuttles, the various switch heads being shifted by the cam grooves to effect this yarn transfer continuously around the machine.

Simultaneously with the passage of the strand S around the lower edge of a shuttle, the next adjacent yarn strands S and S to the right and left, respectively, of the strand S are passed over their shuttles. These strands S and S will be also passed successively over two shuttles and then under the two following shuttles. Each strand will be therefore twice vibrated. in its slot 52 down and up below the medial line, and next be twice vibrated up and down above the medial line. In practice, with the movement of the carrier turrets in opposite directions, the shifted strands from the outer bobbins will be carried over and under the strands from the inner bobbins to interlace with them and form braid of the character indicated in Fig. 10. Braid of this form is commonly called whip lash braid.

In Figs. 11 to a number of steps in the operation of interlacing the yarn to form the braid are diagrammatically shown. In these views most of the structural details have been omitted to avoid confusion. The yarn strands from the outer bobbins are designated a1, m, m and 00. It will be understood that each time one of these strands passes over one of the shuttles it also passes over a strand from an inner bobbin which moves with the shuttle. The shuttles are indicated as moving toward the left. In Fig. 11 the strand w is directed to pass over the shuttle a. In Fig. 12 the strand 00 is also directed to pass over shuttle a, while strand m is directed to pass under the shuttle b. In Fig. 13 the strand 0: is directed under the shuttle a, the strand m is directed over the shuttle Z2; the strand w is directed under the shuttle 6, and the strand a3 is directed over the shuttle d. In Fig. 14 the strand. at is directed over I? and the strand m is directed over 0. The strand a2 is also directed over d. In Fig. 15 strand :0 is directed over 0; m is directed under cl, and a is directed over 6. It will be seen, therefore, following the views down the sheet, that shuttle a passes under both an and :0 (Figs. 11 and 12); shuttle 1) passes under both 00 and 00 (Figs. 13 and 14); and shuttle 0 passes over both m and 03 (Figs. 13 and 14). Each shuttle, after passing under two strands, next passes over two strands and one of these next strands has previously been passed over by the shuttle immediately in advance. This will produce the staggered interlacing of the strands shown in Fig. 10.

As previously pointed out there are eight inner bobbin carriers and shuttles, and four cam grooves. The two switch shoes 49 of any one of the shuttles always travel in the same cam groove around the raceway flange 18, and the switch shoes of the shuttle diametrically opposite, across the machine, also travel in this groove. This arrangement of the shoes is indicated in Fig. 5), wherein Z) and 7' represent two diametrically disposed shuttles. It will be observed that the switch shoes of both of said shuttles are engaged in the cam groove 50 The relation eXis ting between the number of shuttles and the number of cam grooves, together with the relative arrangement of the grooves described, insures that all of the switches around the machine will be shifted in the proper sequence to effect the guiding of the yarn around the shuttles.

By proper co-ordination of parts it is possible to cause the switch blades to deflect and maintain each strand in its path to form a braid of any desired pattern. Although the drawings show an arrangement for making braid of only one pattern it will be understood that the invention is applicable to other patterns, depending upon the form and number of the cam grooves 50 which operate the switches, and the nu1nber of carriers.

The machine is designed to reduce to a minimum the destructive friction present in standard forms of high-speed braiding machines. Most of this friction is caused by the high-bearing velocities and the strong pressure upon the bearings due to centrifugal force. In the present machine, inasmuch as the switch blades are pivoted to the shuttle plates and the heads of the blades are in constant engagement with one of the cage flanges 39 and 40, it is obvious that any radial load, as, for instance, that caused by centrifugal force acting upon the carriers 29, is applied against the switch blades and their slot connections. This force is sustained by the switch blades and their slots and the only function of the fin 33 of each shuttle plate is to maintain the shuttle plate in its proper horizontal course against the pull of gravity and the reactions caused by moving the switch blades. When the machine is operated at a high rate of speed the downward pressure due to gravity is only a small fraction of the pressure against the switch blades due to centrifugal force. The surface velocity of the switch heads in their cage grooves is very slight as compared with the linear velocity of the shuttle around the axis of the machine. This is due to the fact that the vertical movement of the switch leads to permit the passage of the yarn is comparatively slight, and also to the fact that each switch head, in the present case, makes only two vertical oscillations during a complete revolution relatively to the raceill) way flange 18. It is obvious that when the radial load of the carriers is applied at the guide fin 33, or its equivalent, as is customary in higl1speed braiding machines, many times as much energy is absorbed. By transferring the centrifugal force to the slowly moving switch blades much energy is saved and the life of the machines is greatly prolonged owing to the greatly reduced friction. The reaction against the guide fin 33 caused by moving the switch blades is approximately equal to that of gravity. lVhen the switch is moved downward the downward pressure against the lin is doubled, and when the switch is moved in the opposite direction the downward pres sure by gravity is neutralized. Therefore no extra energy is absorbed by the fin and its guide slot, due to reaction of the switch blades.

Each wave length of each cam groove represents four phases of switch movement imparted by the groove. In Fig. 16 one wave length of the groove 50 is indicated as divided into four sections representing the difi erent phases. lnthe first phase the switch rises'at a substantially uniform rate and crosses the medial line on its upward strike. In the second phase the switch movement is retarded as it approaches the upward limit of its stroke, and then accelerated as it recedes from said upper limit at the beginning of its reverse or downward stroke. In the third phase the switch moves downwardly at a'substantially uniform rate and re'crosses the medial line. In the fourth phase the switch movement is again retarded near the limit of the downward stroke and then accelerated upwardly at the beginning or another upward stroke. Thus to each switch is imparted an oscillatory motion in the nature 01 a harmonic motion transversely of the direction of the centrifugal force sustained by the switch. Each wave length equal to the included angle of four carriers or shuttle heads and the switches of each carrier have their share of each ofthe four phases.

The purpose of the stationary disk 36 is to support the inner ends of the upper carriers and to prevent a binding action on the lin 33 and on the switch blades in their respective guide slots. The beveled bearing surface 38 or the. disk is formed with spaced notches 58 within the path of the supporting feet 34': of the carriers which travel over the beveled surface. The feet 34L have sufficient width to bridge the notches, and the arljustinent oi the disk 36 and the spacing of the notches are such that when the yarn from the inner bobbins passes under the carriers it will drop into the notches, below the supporting "feet 3a and avoid injury. The set screw 37 provides for the adjustment of the disk.

It will be observed that the form and arrangement of the cam groovesbO and their connection with the switch blades are such as to adaptthe directions of rotation of the turrets to be reversed without any disarrangement or strain upon the parts. The machine will, in fact, operate equally well no matter in which direction the drive shaft l-l is rotated. In case a fault should occur in the braiding. due to defective yarn. the machine may be turned backward, in which case the cam grooves 50 will so operate the switches as to direct the yarn around the shuttles in a manner to unbraid the work as the reverse movement continues, until the flaw in the braid is reached. This is a very desirable feature in. a high-speed machine. The term yarn used in the specification and the claims is intended to include any suitable braiding material. The terms inner and outer used in the claims in connection with the carriers or yarn supply is not intended to define the location of the carriers or yarn supply with respect to the turret axis. These terms are used to distinguish the yarn passing directly to the braiding point from that which is trained around said yarn to formthe braid.

What we claim is:

1. A braiding machine having two series of yarn supply carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions about a common axis, yarn-directing means rotatable with and in engagement with the carriers of one series, means to automatically shift the said yarn-directing means when the carriers are revolved to'thereby direct the yarn leading from the other series of carriers, and means rotatable around the common axis with the yarn-directing means and adapted to be engaged by said yarn-directing means to hold the engaged carriers against outward movement when the carriers are revolved.

2. In a braiding machine an inner series and an outer series of yarn-supply carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions around a common axis, yarn-directing means attaching to the carriers of the inner series, means to automatically shift said yarn-directing means to direct the yarn leading from the outer series of carriers over and under the inner series of carriers, and means ri'itatable with the carriers of the inner series and adapted to be engaged by the yarn directing means to hold the said inner carriers against outward movement when the carriers are revolved.

3. A braiding machine comprising two turrets adapted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of yarn-supply carriers mounted to be revolved about said axis by the rotation oi one of said turrets and adapted to support a series of yarn-supply, the other turret being adapted to carry a second series of yarn supply; a shuttle head carried by each of said carriers; yarn-directing means adapted to be shifted relatively to the shuttle heads and to co-operate therewith to direct the yarn leading from said second series of supply over and under the yarn leading from the carriers; means slidably engaged. by the shiftable yarn-directing means to hold the said carriers against outward movement during the rotation of the carriers about the common axis and means to automatically shift said yarn-directing means when the turrets are rotated.

4:. A braiding machine comprising two turrets adapted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of yarn-supply carriers mounted to be revolved about said axis by the rotation of one of said turrets and adapted to carry a series of yarn bobbins, the other turret being adapted to support a second series of yarn bobbins; a horizontally elongated shuttle head carried by each carrier; yarn-directing switches adapted to be shifted above and below the ends of said shuttle heads to direct yarn leading from said second series of bobbins over and under the shuttle heads and the yarn leading from the carriers; means slidably engaged by the shiftable yarn-directing switches to hold the said carriers against outward movement during the rotation of the carriers about the common axis; and means to auton'iatically shi'tt said switches when the turrets are rotated.

5. A braiding machine comprising two turrets adapted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of yarn-supply carriers mounted to be revolved about said axis by the rotation of one of said turrets and adapted to carry a horizontal series of yarn bobbins with their axes radial to said common axis, the other turret being adapted to support a second series of yarn supply; a substantially elliptical shuttle head carried by each carrier at the outer end thereof, said shuttle heads having their major axes horizontally disposed; yarn-directing switches mounted upon said shuttle heads and adapted to be shifted above and below the ends of the shuttle heads to direct yarn leading from said second series 01" bobbins over and under the shuttle heads and the yarn leading from the carriers; means slidably engaged by the shittable yarn-directing switches to hold the said carriers against outward movement during the rotation of the carriers about the common axis; and means to automatically shift said switches when the turrets are rotated.

6. A braiding machine "comprising two turrets adapted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of yarn-supply carriers mounted to be revolved. about said axis by the rotation of one of said turrets and adapted to carry a horizontal series of yarn bobbins with their axes radial to said common axis, the other turret being: adapted to support a second series of yarn supply; a substantially ellipitical shuttle head carried by each carrier at the outer end thereof, said shuttle heads having their major axes horizontally disposed; a pair of yarn-directing switches mounted upon each of said shuttle heads and adapted to be shifted above and below the ends of the shuttle heads to direct yarn leading from said second series of bobbins over and under the shuttle heads and the yarn leading from the carriers; and means to automatically shift said switches when the turrets are rotated in either direction to braid or unbraid the yarns 7. A. braiding machine comprising two turrets mounted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of inner yarn-bobbin carriers arranged upon one of said turrets around the axis thereot and disposed to support a circular series oi yarnbobbins with their axes extending radially ot the turret axis, each carrier being provided with a shuttle head at its outer end; an annular concentric raceway member supported by the other turret outwardly oi the shuttle heads; Sliding' guide connections between the raceway members and the shuttle heads adapted to support the shuttle heads; a pair oi yarn-guiding switch blades pivoted to each shuttle head and extendiiur outwardly beyond the opposite ends thercot, the raceway member being formed with wave-like cam grooves extending around its inner face opposed to the shuttle heads; operative connections between the switch blades and the cam grooves; means slidably engaged by the ends of the switch blades to form a driving; connection between thesaid carriers and their driving turret; and means carried by the turret supporting the raceway mei'nber to rotatably support a circular series of outer yarn bobbins, the raceway member being formed with spaced slots extending transversely of the plane ot the major axes of the shuttle heads, and the yarn from the outer bobbins being adapted to pass through said transverse slots and be directed by the switch blades around the shuttle heads.

8. In a braiding machine having a series of inner yarn carriers and a series of outer yarn carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions about a common axis yarn-directing and carrier-retaining means shittably attached to the inner carriers; a rotary split cage for the inner carriers recessed to receive said yarn-directing means and adapted to co-operate therewith to hold the inner carriers against lateral displacement in the split cage; a sectional raceway. adapted to guide the inner carriers; and means to automatically shift the yarndirecting means when the two series of carriers are relatively revolved to direct the yarn from the outer carriers to form the braid, the raceway sections being spaced apart to provide clearance for the yarn leading from the outer carriers.

9. In a braiding machine having a series of inner yarn carriers and a series of outer yarn carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions about a common axis,

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yarn=directing and carrier-retaining means shiftably attached to the inner carriers; a rotary split cage for the inner carriers recessed to receiv said yarirdirecting means ind adapted to co-operate therewith to form a driving connection between the inner earriers and the split cage; a sectional raceway adapted to guide the inner carriers; and means to automatically shift the yarn directing means when the two series of carriers are relatively revolved to direct the yarn from the outer carriers to form the braid, the raceway sections being spaced apart to provide clearance for the yarn leading from the outer carriers.

10. In a braiding machine having a series of inner yarn carriers and a series of outer yarn carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions around a common axis, a substantially elliptical shuttle head secured to the outer end of each inner carrier, said shuttle heads having their major axes horizontally disposed; a rotary split for the inner carriers recessed to receive the shuttle heads; yarn-directing and carrierretaining switches shiftably attached to the shuttle heads with their free ends extending outwardly beyond the opposite ends thereof, the split cage being recessed to re ceive the ends of said switches and adapted to co-operate therewith to form a driving connection between the inner carriers and the split cage, said switches and the split cage being arranged to resist centrifugal force exerted by the carriers and prevent out 'ard movement of the carriers; a sectional raceway surrounding the split cage and formed with wave-like cam grooves; means on the inner carriers adapted to engage the raceway to guide the inner carriers; and means on the switches to engage the grooves in the raceway to automatically shift the switches when the two carriers are relatively revolved, the raceway sections being spaced apart to provide clearance for the yarn leading from the outer carriers.

ll. In a braiding machine naving a series (it inner yarn carriers and a series or outer yarn carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions around a common axis, a substantially elliptical shuttle head secured to the outer end of each inner carrier, said shuttle heads having their major axes horizontally disposed; a rotary split cage for the inner carriers recessed to receive the shuttle heads; yarn-directing and carrier retaining switches shiitably attached to the shuttle heads, the split cage being recessed to receive the ends of said switches and adapted to co-operate therewith to form a driving connection between the inner carriers and the split cage, said switches and the split cage being arranged to resist centrifugal force exerted by the carriers and prevent outward movement of the carriers; a sectional raceway surrounding the split cage; means on the inner carriers dapted to engage the rcceway to guide the inner carriers; and means to automatically shift the yarn directing switches when the two carriers are relatively revolved, the raceway sections being spaced apart to provide clearance for the yarn leading from the outer carriers.

12. In a braiding machine having two turrets mounted to rotate in opposite directions about a common axis, one turret being adapted to revolve a series of inner yarn carriers and the other to revolve a series ot' outer yarn carriers, a substantially elliptical shuttle carried by the outer end of each in ner carrier, said shuttles having their major axes horizontal and in the same plane; annular raceway member surrounding said shuttles and carried by the outer carrier tur ret, said annular member being formed around its-inner face withfour intersecting wave-like cam grooves of equal wave length extending above below said plane of the shuttle axes and arranged in pairs with one groove of each pair displaced longitiu inally from the other one-half the wave length,,the two pairs being displaced from each other longitudinally one quarter the wave length; yarn-directing and carrier-re taining switches pivotally mounted at their inner ends to the inner carriers and extending outwardly from the shuttle ends; operative connections between dilii'erent switches and dill erent cam grooves to shift the switches above and below the ends of the shuttles when the turrets are relatively rotated; and retaining guide connections between the outer shiftable ends of the switches and the inner carrier turret adapted to cooperate-with the switches to resist the centrifugal force exerted by the inner carriers.

13. In a braiding machine wherein a series of inner yarn carriers and a series oi outer yarn carriers are mounted to he revolved in opposite directions about a common axis, yarn-directing and carrier-retaining means auapted to be shifted toilirect the yarn from the outer carriers around the yarn from the inner carriers to form the braid; means to automatically shift the yarirdirertinr means when the carriers are revolved; and means engaging said yarn-directing means adapted to cooperate therewith to resist centrifugal force exerted by the inner carriers and their yarn supply and hold them against outward displacement and to transmit through the yarn-directing means the driving force to the inner carriers for revolving them about the turret axis.

14. In a braiding machine wherein a series of inner yarn carriers and a series of outer yarn carriers are mounted to be revolved in opposite directions about a common axis, the inner carriers being provided with yarn shuttles, yarn-directing and car till rier-retaining means carried by the inner carriers and adapted to be shifted relatively to the shuttles transversely of the direction of centrifugal force to direct the yarn from the outer carriers around the shuttles to form the braid; means to automatically shift the yarn-directing means when the carriers are rotated; and means engaging said yarn-directing means adapted to cooperate therewith to resist centrifugal force exerted by the inner carriers and their yarn supply and hold them against outward displacement and to transmit the driving force through the yarn-directing means to the inner carriers for revolving them about the turret axis.

15. A braiding machine comprising two turrets mounted for rotation in opposite direct-ions about a common axis; a series of inner yarn carriers mounted to be revolved about said axis by the rotation of one of said turrets, each carrier being provided with a horizontally elongated shuttle; a series of outer yarn carriers mounted to be revolved by the rotation of the other turret; yarndirecting and carrier-retaining members attached to the inner carriers, extending beyond the ends thereof to engage the turret which revolves the inner carriers and provide a driving connection for transmitting the revolving force of the turret to the carriers, said yarn-directing means cooperating with the engaged turret to resist the centrifugal force exerted by the inner carriers and their yarn and hold them against outward displacement, and being mounted to shift to opposite sides of the shuttel ends to direct the yarn from the outer carriers around the shuttle to form the braid; and means to automatically shift said yarn-directing means when the turrets are relatively ro tated.

16. A. braiding machine comprising two turrets mounted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of inner yarn-bobbin carriers arranged upon one of said turret-s around the axis thereof, each carrier being provided with a horizontally elongated shuttle at its outer end; an annular concentric raceway member sup ported by the other turret outwardly of the shuttle heads; sliding guide connections between the raceway members and the shuttle heads adapted to support the shuttle heads; a pair of yarndirecting switch members pivoted to each shuttle head and extending outwardly beyond the opposite ends thereof, the raceway member being formed with a plurality of continuous, wave-like, intersecting cam grooves around its inner face opposed to the shuttle heads; and an elongated shoe pivoted to each switch memher and engaging in one of the cam grooves, the two shoes of each pair of switch members engaging in the same cam groove.

17. A braiding machine comprising two turrets mounted to be rotated in opposite directions about a common axis; a series of inner yarn-bobbin carriers arranged upon one of said turrets around the axis thereof, each carrier being provided with a horizontally elongated shuttle at its outer end; an annular concentric raceway member supported by the other turret outwardly of the shuttle heads; sliding guide connections between the raceway members and the shuttle heads adapted to support the shuttle heads; a pair of yarn-directing switch members pivoted to each shuttle head and extending outwardly beyond the opposite ends thereof, the raceway member being formed with a plurality of continuous, wave-like, intersecting cam grooves around its inner face opposed to the shuttle heads; an elongated shoe pivoted to each switch member and engaging in one of the cam grooves, the two shoes of each pair of switch members engaging in the same cam groove: and means engaging the outer free ends of the said switches to resist centrifugal force exerted by the inner carriers.

1.8. In a braiding machine wherein a series of inner yarn carriers and a series of outer yarn carriers are mounted to be revolved in opposite directions about a common axis, yarn-directing switches carried by the inner carriers and adapted to be shifted relatively thereto to direct the yarn from the outer carriers around the yarn from the inner carriers to form the braid. means to automatically shift the said yarn-directing switches when the carriers are revolved; and means engaging said switches to transmit the driving force to the inner carriers for revolving them about the turret axis.

19. In a braiding machine having a series of inner yarn carriers and a series of outer yarn carriers mounted to be revolved in opposite directions about a common axis, yarn-directing and carrier-retaining means shiftably attached to the inner carriers; a split cage for the inner carriers recessed to receive said yarn-directing means and adapted to co-operate therewith to resist the centrifugal force exerted by the inner carriers and hold them against outward displacement; a sectional raceway adapted to guide the inner carriers; and means to automatically shift the yarn directing means when the two series of carriers are relatively revolved to direct the yarn from the outer carriers to form the braid, the raceway sections being spaced apart to provide clearance for the yarn leading from the outer carriers.

In testimony whereof we hereunto atfix our signatures this 8th day of February, 1926.

FREDERICK KLEIN. MARIUS E. PENSO. 

